Family Crisis Centers Inc

THE GRANTS TO SUPPORT FAMILIES IN THE JUSTICE SYSTEM PROGRAM (REFERRED TO AS THE JUSTICE FOR FAMILIES PROGRAM) WAS AUTHORIZED IN THE VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2013 TO IMPROVE THE RESPONSE OF THE CIVIL AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM TO FAMILIES WITH A HISTORY OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, AND STALKING, OR IN CASES INVOLVING ALLEGATIONS OF CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE. THE PROGRAM SUPPORTS THE FOLLOWING ACTIVITIES FOR IMPROVING THE CAPACITY OF COURTS AND COMMUNITIES TO RESPOND TO FAMILIES AFFECTED BY THE TARGETED CRIMES: COURT-BASED AND COURT-RELATED PROGRAMS; SUPERVISED VISITATION AND SAFE EXCHANGE BY AND BETWEEN PARENTS; TRAINING FOR PEOPLE WHO WORK WITH FAMILIES IN THE COURT SYSTEM; CIVIL LEGAL SERVICES; AND THE PROVISION OF RESOURCES IN JUVENILE COURT MATTERS. PROJECTS SUPPORTED BY THE JUSTICE FOR FAMILIES PROGRAM ARE THOSE THAT FOCUS ON KEEPING VICTIMS AND THEIR CHILDREN SAFE FROM FURTHER ABUSE AND HOLDING OFFENDERS ACCOUNTABLE. THROUGH THIS CONTINUATION JUSTICE FOR FAMILIES PROJECT, FAMILY CRISIS CENTERS, INC, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH IOWA JUDICIAL DISTRICT 3 COURTS, WILL PROVIDE SUPERVISED VISITATION SERVICES TO FAMILIES IMPACTED BY DOMESTIC VIOLENCE; CONDUCT OUTREACH TO IMPROVE ACCESS TO SUPERVISED VISITATION SERVICES; AND FACILITATETRAININGS FOR JUDGES AND COURT CLERKS ON ISSUES RELATED TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN THE THIRD JUDICIAL DISTRICT IN NORTHWEST IOWA. THIS AWARD IS A CONTINUATION OF 15JOVW-22-GG-00233-JFFX.

THE GRANTS TO SUPPORT FAMILIES IN THE JUSTICE SYSTEM PROGRAM (REFERRED TO AS THE JUSTICE FOR FAMILIES PROGRAM) WAS AUTHORIZED IN THE VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2013 TO IMPROVE THE RESPONSE OF THE CIVIL AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM TO FAMILIES WITH A HISTORY OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, AND STALKING OR IN CASES INVOLVING ALLEGATIONS OF CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE. THE PROGRAM SUPPORTS THE FOLLOWING ACTIVITIES FOR IMPROVING THE CAPACITY OF COURTS AND COMMUNITIES TO RESPOND TO FAMILIES AFFECTED BY THE TARGETED CRIMES: COURT-BASED AND COURT-RELATED PROGRAMS; SUPERVISED VISITATION AND SAFE EXCHANGE BY AND BETWEEN PARENTS; TRAINING FOR PEOPLE WHO WORK WITH FAMILIES IN THE COURT SYSTEM; CIVIL LEGAL SERVICES; AND THE PROVISION OF RESOURCES IN JUVENILE COURT MATTERS. ALL PROJECTS UNDER THE JUSTICE FOR FAMILIES PROGRAM MUST ADDRESS SUPERVISED VISITATION OR COURT-BASED AND COURT-RELATED PROGRAMS.  IF A PROJECT IS ADDRESSING SUPERVISED VISITATION, IT MUST ALSO INCLUDE ACTIVITIES UNDER AT LEAST ONE ADDITIONAL PURPOSE AREA, SUCH AS CIVIL LEGAL SERVICES, COURT-BASED AND COURT-RELATED PROGRAMS, OR TRAINING WITHIN THE CIVIL JUSTICE SYSTEM. COURT-BASED AND COURT-RELATED PROGRAMS AND SERVICES MAY BE ADDRESSED ON THEIR OWN. PROJECTS SUPPORTED BY THE JUSTICE FOR FAMILIES PROGRAM FOCUS ON KEEPING VICTIMS AND THEIR CHILDREN SAFE FROM FURTHER ABUSE AND HOLDING OFFENDERS ACCOUNTABLE. ALL JUSTICE FOR FAMILIES PROGRAM PROJECTS MUST INCLUDE FORMAL PARTNERSHIPS WITH BOTH A NONPROFIT, NONGOVERNMENTAL, OR TRIBAL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE OR SEXUAL ASSAULT VICTIM SERVICE PROVIDER AND A COURT.   THE TIMING FOR PERFORMANCE OF THIS AWARD IS 36 MONTHS.

THE TRANSITIONAL HOUSING ASSISTANCE GRANTS FOR VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, AND STALKING PROGRAM (TRANSITIONAL HOUSING PROGRAM, AUTHORIZED BY 34 U.S.C. 12351), HAS AS ITS PRIMARY PURPOSE THE PROVISION OF TRANSITIONAL HOUSING AND SUPPORT SERVICES TO AID MINORS, ADULTS, AND THEIR DEPENDENTS WHO ARE HOMELESS (AS DEFINED IN 34 U.S.C. 12473(6)) OR IN NEED OF TRANSITIONAL HOUSING OR OTHER HOUSING ASSISTANCE AS A RESULT OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, OR STALKING. THE PROGRAM IS INTENDED TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO VICTIMS FOR WHOM EMERGENCY SHELTER SERVICES OR OTHER CRISIS INTERVENTION SERVICES ARE UNAVAILABLE OR INSUFFICIENT. THE PROGRAM SUPPORTS VICTIM-CENTERED APPROACHES TO PROVIDING TRANSITIONAL HOUSING, SHORT-TERM HOUSING ASSISTANCE, AND VOLUNTARY SUPPORT SERVICES TO ASSIST WITH LOCATING AND SECURING PERMANENT HOUSING, OBTAINING EMPLOYMENT, AND INTEGRATING INTO A COMMUNITY. FAMILY CRISIS CENTER INC., A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION LOCATED IN SIOUX CENTER, IA, WILL IMPLEMENT THE FAMILY CRISIS CENTERS TRANSITIONAL HOUSING PROGRAM THROUGH THE PROVISION OF VICTIM-CENTERED APPROACHES TO TRANSITIONAL HOUSING NEEDS, IN COLLABORATION WITH ATLAS OF SIOUX CENTER. THE PROJECT WILL PROVIDE FIFTEEN PRIVATE LANDLORD, SCATTERED SITE TRANSITIONAL HOUSING RESIDENCES FOR FIFTEEN SURVIVORS AND THEIR FAMILIES IN A RURAL REGION OF IOWA. THIS CONTINUATION PROJECT WILL USE FUNDS TO PROVIDE BOTH HOUSING AND SUPPORTIVE SERVICES TO MOVE SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, OR STALKING WHO ARE HOMELESS OR IN NEED OF HOUSING ASSISTANCE TO PERMANENT HOUSING. THE PROJECT WILL ASSIST CLIENTS FOR AN ANTICIPATED MINIMUM OF 6 MONTHS AND A MAXIMUM LENGTH OF 24 MONTHS. THE SERVICES OFFERED WILL FOCUS ON PROVIDING VICTIM SERVICES IN RURAL AREAS AND WILL BE TAILORED TO ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF VICTIMS WHO ARE SERVED. THE RANGE OF OPTIONAL SUPPORT SERVICES INCLUDES RENTAL AND UTILITY ASSISTANCE, CASE MANAGEMENT, SAFETY PLANNING, VICTIM ADVOCACY AND HOUSING ADVOCACY. THE PROJECT WILL FUND TWO DEDICATED STAFF MEMBERS TO IMPLEMENT THE PROGRAM AND PROVIDE FOLLOW-UP SERVICES FOR AT LEAST 3 MONTHS ONCE PERMANENT HOUSING IS SECURED.

THE RURAL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, AND STALKING PROGRAM (RURAL PROGRAM) IS AUTHORIZED BY 34 U.S.C. 12341. RURAL PROGRAM FUNDS ARE USED TO SUPPORT PROGRAMS THAT: 1) IDENTIFY, ASSESS, AND APPROPRIATELY RESPOND TO CHILD, YOUTH, AND ADULT VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, DATING VIOLENCE, AND STALKING IN RURAL COMMUNITIES BY ENCOURAGING COLLABORATION AMONG VICTIM SERVICE PROVIDERS, LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES, PROSECUTORS, COURTS, OTHER CRIMINAL JUSTICE SERVICE PROVIDERS, HUMAN AND COMMUNITY SERVICE PROVIDERS, EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS, AND HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS; 2) ESTABLISH AND EXPAND VICTIM SERVICES IN RURAL COMMUNITIES TO CHILD, YOUTH, AND ADULT VICTIMS; 3) INCREASE THE SAFETY AND WELL-BEING OF WOMEN AND CHILDREN IN RURAL COMMUNITIES, BY (A) DEALING DIRECTLY AND IMMEDIATELY WITH DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, DATING VIOLENCE, AND STALKING; AND (B) CREATING AND IMPLEMENTING STRATEGIES TO INCREASE AWARENESS AND PREVENT THESE CRIMES; AND 4) DEVELOP, EXPAND, IMPLEMENT, AND IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF SEXUAL ASSAULT FORENSIC MEDICAL EXAMINATION OR SEXUAL ASSAULT NURSE EXAMINER PROGRAMS. GRANTEES MUST USE AT LEAST ONE OF THE FOLLOWING STRATEGIES IN IMPLEMENTING THEIR PROJECTS: 1) IMPLEMENT, EXPAND, AND ESTABLISH COOPERATIVE EFFORTS AND PROJECTS AMONG LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS, PROSECUTORS, VICTIM SERVICE PROVIDERS, AND OTHER RELATED PARTIES TO INVESTIGATE AND PROSECUTE INCIDENTS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, AND STALKING; 2) PROVIDE TREATMENT, COUNSELING, ADVOCACY, LEGAL ASSISTANCE, AND OTHER LONG-TERM AND SHORT-TERM VICTIM AND POPULATION SPECIFIC SERVICES TO ADULT AND MINOR VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, AND STALKING IN RURAL COMMUNITIES; 3) WORK IN COOPERATION WITH THE COMMUNITY TO DEVELOP EDUCATION AND PREVENTION STRATEGIES DIRECTED TOWARD SUCH ISSUES; 4) DEVELOP, ENLARGE, OR STRENGTHEN PROGRAMS ADDRESSING SEXUAL ASSAULT; AND 5) DEVELOP PROGRAMS AND STRATEGIES THAT FOCUS ON THE SPECIFIC NEEDS OF VICTIMS OF WHO RESIDE IN REMOTE RURAL AND GEOGRAPHICALLY ISOLATED AREAS. THROUGH THIS NEW OVW RURAL PROGRAM PROJECT, FAMILY CRISIS CENTERS, INC. (FCC), IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE IOWA ATTORNEY GENERALS OFFICE SEXUAL ASSAULT RESPONSE TRAINING COORDINATOR, WILL IMPLEMENT THE IOWA VICTIM SERVICE CALL CENTER (IVSCC) RURAL SURVIVORS SERVICE PROVISION AND TRAINING PROGRAM. THIS VICTIM SERVICE PROJECT ADDRESSES THE FOLLOWING PURPOSE AREAS: 1, 3, AND 4 IN 87 ENTIRELY RURAL COUNTIES IN IOWA. SPECIFIC ACTIVITIES WILL INCLUDE: 1) INCREASING THE SAFETY AND WELL-BEING OF WOMEN AND CHILDREN IN RURAL COMMUNITIES BY DEALING DIRECTLY AND IMMEDIATELY WITH DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, DATING VIOLENCE, AND STALKING OCCURRING IN RURAL COMMUNITIES THROUGH THE IVSCCS PHONE AND TEXT LINE ADVOCACY; 2) PROVIDING TRAINING TO VICTIM SERVICE PROVIDERS, LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES, PROSECUTORS, COURTS, OTHER CRIMINAL JUSTICE SERVICE PROVIDERS, HUMAN AND COMMUNITY SERVICE PROVIDERS, EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS, AND HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS INCLUDING SEXUAL ASSAULT FORENSIC EXAMINERS AND SART TEAMS, TO ENCOURAGE COLLABORATION, INCREASE AWARENESS AND PREVENT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, DATING VIOLENCE, AND STALKING, AND TO IMPROVE RESPONSES TO RURAL SURVIVORS; 3) PROVIDING TRAINING TO VICTIM SERVICE PROVIDERS, LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES, PROSECUTORS, COURTS, OTHER CRIMINAL JUSTICE SERVICE PROVIDERS, HUMAN AND COMMUNITY SERVICE PROVIDERS, EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS, AND HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS INCLUDING SEXUAL ASSAULT FORENSIC EXAMINERS AND SART TEAMS, TO DEVELOP AND IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF SEXUAL ASSAULT FORENSIC MEDICAL EXAMINATION OR SEXUAL ASSAULT NURSE EXAMINER PROGRAMS IN RURAL COUNTIES OF IOWA; AND 4) TRAINING IVSCC STAFF ON BEST PRACTICES FOR SERVING RURAL SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, AND STALKING. THE TIMING FOR PERFORMANCE OF THIS AWARD IS 36 MONTHS.

THE TRANSITIONAL HOUSING ASSISTANCE GRANTS FOR VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, AND STALKING PROGRAM (TRANSITIONAL HOUSING PROGRAM) IS AUTHORIZED BY 34 U.S.C. § 12351. THE PRIMARY PURPOSE OF THE TRANSITIONAL HOUSING PROGRAM IS TO PROVIDE AID TO VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, AND STALKING WHO ARE HOMELESS, OR IN NEED OF TRANSITIONAL HOUSING OR OTHER HOUSING ASSISTANCE, AS A RESULT OF THEIR VICTIMIZATION, AND FOR WHOM EMERGENCY SHELTER SERVICES OR OTHER CRISIS INTERVENTION SERVICES ARE UNAVAILABLE OR INSUFFICIENT. A HOMELESS INDIVIDUAL IS ONE WHO LACKS A FIXED, REGULAR, AND ADEQUATE NIGHTTIME RESIDENCE, AND INCLUDES AN INDIVIDUAL WHO IS SHARING THE HOUSING OF OTHER PERSONS DUE TO LOSS OF HOUSING, ECONOMIC HARDSHIP, OR A SIMILAR REASON. THE PROGRAM SUPPORTS HOLISTIC, SURVIVOR-CENTERED APPROACHES TO PROVIDING TRANSITIONAL HOUSING AND SUPPORT SERVICES THAT MOVE INDIVIDUALS INTO PERMANENT HOUSING AND HELP THEM SECURE EMPLOYMENT AND INTEGRATE INTO A COMMUNITY. PROJECTS MUST PROVIDE: 1) TRANSITIONAL HOUSING AND 2) SUPPORT SERVICES (TO INCLUDE FOLLOW-UP SERVICES) TO SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, OR STALKING. TRANSITIONAL HOUSING MODELS INCLUDE: COMMUNAL/SHARED FAMILY LIVING SPACES, CLUSTERED/INDIVIDUAL FAMILY CO-LOCATED SPACES AND SCATTERED SITE/INDIVIDUAL FAMILY SPACES INDEPENDENTLY LOCATED. PROJECTS MUST OFFER A MINIMUM OF SIX MONTHS AND MAXIMUM 24 MONTHS OF HOUSING ASSISTANCE. SUPPORT SERVICES CAN BE A WIDE RANGE OF SURVIVOR-CENTERED VOLUNTARY SERVICES FOCUSED ON EMPOWERING SURVIVORS AND ADDRESSING THE UNIQUE CHALLENGES FACED BY UNDERSERVED POPULATIONS BECAUSE OF GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION, RELIGION, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, GENDER IDENTITY, RACE, ETHNICITY AND SPECIAL NEEDS (SUCH AS LANGUAGE BARRIERS, DISABILITIES, ALIENAGE STATUS, OR AGE). EXAMPLES OF SURVIVOR-CENTERED VOLUNTARY SUPPORT SERVICES INCLUDE: RENTAL AND UTILITY ASSISTANCE, CASE MANAGEMENT, SAFETY PLANNING, CHILDCARE, TRANSPORTATION, CAREER COUNSELING, FINANCIAL AND CREDIT COUNSELING, SUPPORT GROUPS, INDIVIDUAL COUNSELING, JOB TRAINING, EDUCATION ATTAINMENT, LIMITED LEGAL ASSISTANCE (REGARDING HOUSING, PROTECTION ORDERS, AND LIMITED IMMIGRATION MATTERS THAT AFFECT A VICTIM’S ABILITY TO OBTAIN HOUSING), AND OTHER ASSISTANCE. PROJECTS ARE REQUIRED TO MAINTAIN A COMPENSATED PARTNERSHIP IN THE COMMUNITY TO ENSURE CONSISTENT QUALITY OF SERVICE. ONCE PERMANENT HOUSING IS SECURED, SURVIVOR-CENTERED VOLUNTARY FOLLOW-UP SERVICES ARE OFFERED TO SURVIVORS FOR A MINIMUM OF THREE MONTHS AND A MAXIMUM OF 12 MONTHS.